Gov’t Prioritising Enhanced Student Education and Nutrition Support During 2025/26

Improving literacy and numeracy among children, aged eight and under, and enhancing nutrition support programmes across the education system will be among the Government’s priorities during fiscal year 2025/26.

Currently, more than 162,000 students benefit from provisions under the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH).

This was announced by Custos Rotulorum for Kingston, Hon. Steadman Fuller, while delivering the Throne Speech during the 2025/26 Ceremonial Opening of Parliament at Gordon House on Thursday (February 13).

Mr. Fuller, who deputised for Governor General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, outlined that the Government continues to make remarkable strides in education, skills development and digital transformation, which are key pillars of Jamaica’s national development.

“There will also be the implementation of a Special Education Policy to ensure equity and inclusivity, and the expansion of the Education Management Information System (EMIS) to more schools for real-time monitoring of attendance, performance and behaviour,” he said.

Mr. Fuller indicated that the Government has also expanded the number of shadows working with special needs children.

Meanwhile, the Custos said the Government remains committed to improving the early-childhood education sector.

This, he pointed out, by having one trained teacher in every early-childhood institution.

Mr. Fuller advised that legislative priorities for the education sector will include revisions to the Jamaica Teaching Council Bill to establish teacher licensing, amendments to the Education Act (1965) to update Principal and Board appointments, and continued progress on the Jamaica Tertiary Education Commission Bill for tertiary regulation.

The Throne Speech was delivered under the theme ‘Jamaica’s Next Chapter: Aspiring to Greatness’.